Building Safety through Relationships: How a BCLI Alum is Meeting the Moment

Through our Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute, we have cultivated the leadership of 168 alumni and counting who have gone on to create transformational change at every level. Alum Tim Brewington, from our 2019-20 cohort, is meeting the moment with bold leadership in Woodbury. Read his story below! “I am a founding member of the

Our Collective Strength Remains a Beacon of Light

On Jan. 23, 2026, we witnessed the solidarity of tens of thousands of Minnesotans peacefully marching against the violent federal occupation of our state. On Jan. 24, we withstood, again, the devastation of watching a neighbor executed. This is an ancestral grief, an outrage well known to Black and Brown folks. In the wake of

We Are a Harvest of Survivors

Jan. 12, 2026 Nexus has never been an org that simply serves the community—we ARE our communities. Our staff are a mosaic of Black folks, Brown folks, and queer folks. Last week, faced with yet more horror, some of us stepped away from the office to process, grieve, protest, and rest. Some walked down their

Reclaiming Our Own Time in 25 Different Ways

When ROOT (Reclaiming Our Own Time) put out two distinct calls to community leaders of color to reclaim their own rest through sabbatical opportunities, the response was overwhelmingly honest. The ROOT team heard stories of burnout stemming from racial aggression, the pandemic, economic injustice, and years of not seeing progress on issues that truly matter

A Balm for Burnout: Self-Care Circuit Retreat Recap

If you were at the Minnesota Humanities Center on Nov. 9, 2025, you would have found yourself among softly smiling Black and Brown faces, joyfully reclaiming their rest during a time that had been incredibly stressful for many. You might have seen a gentle tear dabbed away as we learned to let go of what

Antidotes to Rest Myths: Wisdom from the Rhythmic Sabbatical Cohort

ROOT‘s Rhythmic Sabbatical Fellowship was a six-month, 15-person cohort for movement leaders of color to reclaim rest. From May to November 2025, fellows embarked on monthly sabbatical experiences ranging from weekend excursions to weeklong trips. Throughout their time together, the cohort uplifted why BIPOC folx must embrace rest and restoration as fundamental pieces of all

Nexus Alumni Share Their BCLI Journeys

Are you ready to make an impact in systems change for greater equity? Do you want to improve your skills as a racial justice advocate to affect policy changes at the level of publicly appointed boards, committees, and commissions? Then good news: There’s still time to apply for our 2026 Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute

A Message of Hope for the New Year

Dear Community, Going into the new year means going into new possibilities—new ways of living up to our purpose. In 2025, our communities, again, were hit hard. But amidst the fear, rage, and exhaustion, I hope you found deserved rest, sparks of inspiration, and deep connection. Because whether we’re trying to resolve major challenges, innovate,

North Star Year in Review

See what Nexus’ North Star Black Cooperative Fellowship (NSBCF) was up to in 2025! Cohort 8 Graduation In May, we graduated 23 fellows from 10 cooperative groups, celebrating their achievements and shared leadership. Their showcase, We Are the Architects, uplifted the creativity, healing work, and cooperative legacies they are building. Cohort 9 Launch In August,

An Important ROOT Program Update

When we introduced Reclaiming Our Own Time (ROOT) in 2023, the ROOT team boldly put forth their vision: We are leaders—Black, Indigenous, and people of color. In our well-rested future, we reclaim our own narrative. We celebrate who we are and our rest practices. Our rest is deserved, intergenerational, well-resourced, and for all of us.